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| Qinyuan Mountain |
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Qinyuan Mountain is a major mountain in the range north of Quanzhou.
Since it has 36 beautiful caves, it has enjoyed a eulogistic title
"The Supreme Mountain Fairyland by the Fujian sea" since
ancient times. Qingyuan Mountain is also distinguished by its springs
and rocks. South of the Stone Old Saint rises Thousandhand Rocks,
where there is a sitting stone figure of Avalokitesvara, and by it
the tomb of renowned monk Hong Yi of modern times. In the left peak,
a stone figure of Sakyamuni nestles inside the Nich Cavern, from where
one can have a panorama of the city. An ancient stone path in the
central peak leads to the Qingyuan Cave at the top, where clear water
lows out all the year round. It is from the clear water that the mountain
derived its name Qingyuan, meaning "Clear Water" in Chinese.
The right peak offers sights such as the Waterfall in the Cave, the
Moon in the Wind over the Sea and the stone figure of Amitabha. Further
up to the South Platform Rock is the Pavilion in the mid-air, where
clouds envelopes the soaring cliffs, presenting a view of fairyland.
The 5.5-m-high-and-7.3-m-wide figure of old Taoist saint carved
in the Song Dynasty sits at the foot of Qingyuan Mountain. His left
hand rests on the lap and right hand on a small table, his ears
reach his shoulder, his white beard is floating in the air and his
face is beaming with happiness and kindness. The figure has become
a symbol of health and longevity, as the saying goes in Quanzhou,
"Touch the nose of the Stone Old Saint and you will live up
to 120 years old," which challenges many tourists to have a
try. |
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